Text message from Steffi Graf inspired US Open winner, insists new world No1 Angelique Kerber September 11, 2016 World No1 Angelique Kerber has revealed a good luck message from compatriot Steffi Graf fuelled her US Open final victory over Karolina Pliskova late on Saturday night. Kerber claimed the second grand slam of her career with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Pliskova of the Czech Republic; a triumph which will propel her to [...]
Dame Sarah Storey makes history as ParalympicsGB enjoy golden start to Games September 9, 2016 Para-cyclist Dame Sarah Storey was elevated to the status of the nation’s most successful female Paralympian of all time after winning the 12th gold medal of her career on a glory-filled opening day of the Paralympic Games for Great Britain. The 38-year-old moved beyond wheelchair racer Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson with her latest gold after she [...]
Spanish giants Real and Atletico Madrid fail to overturn transfer bans and cannot field new signings until January 2018 September 8, 2016 Real Madrid and city rivals Atletico are not permitted to field any new signings until January 2018 after both clubs lost their appeals against transfer bans handed out by world governing body Fifa. The Spanish giants were punished by Fifa’s disciplinary committee in January after being found to have breached regulations governing the transfer of [...]
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino plays down Harry Kane’s goalscoring woes September 8, 2016 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has doused concerns over goal-shy striker Harry Kane and backed the England forward to rejoin the goalscoring trail when his side travel to Stoke on Saturday. Kane has not scored for 10 matches, since England’s pre-European Championship warm-up clash with Turkey at the City of Manchester Stadium in May. The 23-year-old [...]
Tears, corporate speaking, coaching: Great Britain’s Olympic gold medal-winning skipper Kate Richardson-Walsh talks post-Rio retirement September 8, 2016 As admin to the squad’s WhatsApp groups, Kate Richardson-Walsh can decide if and when she disappears into the background, but Great Britain’s Olympic gold medal-winning skipper knows that international retirement leaves voids that will eventually need filling. Bringing the curtain down on a 17-year international hockey career by leading her nation to victory over reigning world and Olympic [...]
Britain’s Andy Murray crashes out of US Open after shock defeat to world No7 Kei Nishikori September 8, 2016 Britain's Andy Murray suffered a shock defeat to Kei Nishikori of Japan in the US Open quarter-finals as his hopes of winning back-to-back grand slams came to an abrupt end at Flushing Meadows. The gruelling tussle went the distance but second seed Murray eventually succumbed 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 in a clash which lasted [...]
England one-day captain Eoin Morgan remains non-committal on Bangladesh tour as ECB boss Andrew Strauss issues warning to absentees September 7, 2016 Limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan admits he remains a doubt for England’s one-day tour to Bangladesh amid ongoing security concerns and a stark warning over future selection by director of cricket Andrew Strauss. The tour, which includes three one-day internationals and two Test matches, was given the go-ahead on safety grounds by the England and Wales [...]
Angelique Kerber surges into US Open last four and remains on course to usurp Serena Williams at top of world rankings September 7, 2016 Germany's Angelique Kerber remained on course for her third grand slam final of 2016 after dispatching Roberta Vinci in straight sets to march into the US Open semi-finals. The 29-year-old defeated Vinci, who reached the final at Flushing Meadows last year, 7-5, 6-0 to boost her chances of overtaking Serena Williams as world No1 at the end [...]
Equestrian rider Lee Pearson nominated as Great Britain’s flagbearer for Paralympic opening ceremony as Jonnie Peacock doubts his gold medal-winning potential September 6, 2016 Serial gold medal-winning equestrian rider Lee Pearson has revealed his pride at being nominated as Great Britain’s flagbearer for Wednesday's opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. The 42-year-old is a 10-time Paralympic champion after claiming triple gold at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Games, while at London [...]
Chris Jordan becomes latest player to commit to Bangladesh tour as Kevin Pietersen wades into debate over Eoin Morgan September 6, 2016 England cricket bosses were handed a boost by all-rounder Chris Jordan after he categorically confirmed his intention to tour Bangladesh this winter despite ongoing security concerns. Jordan followed the lead of Worcestershire’s Moeen Ali who has already publicly pledged his attendance, while Test skipper Alastair Cook and Jonny Bairstow are believed to be of a similar mindset. [...]